Mixing machine beater



March 1, 1938. r w R DEHUFF 2,109,614

MIXING MACHINE BEATER Filed April 11, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN'I? 1 BY ATTORNEY 1 March 1, w DEHUFF MIXING MACHINE BEATER Filed Ap '1 11, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR f n/ L ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 1, 1938 UNITED STATES MIXING MACHINE BEATER Walter F. Dehuff, Glen Rock, Pa., assignor to American Machine & Foundry Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application April 11, 1936, Serial No. 73,853

16 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for mixing dough, and more particularly to the beaters of such machines. This application constitutes a continuation in part of my prior application, Serial No. 749,302, filed October 20, 1934, which has matured into Patent No. 2,037,068 granted April 4, 1936.

In conventional beaters heretofore in use it has been found that the arms leading from the outer edge of the beater to the center hub, revolving at the necessary speed for the type of batch on which this type of beater is required, prevent the material from dropping back, due to the speed of these arms, thus causing the top portion of the batch to be somewhat held in suspension, thereby preventing that portion of the batch from working down into the rest of the batch to a marked degree. This, of necessity, results in a more or less unsatisfactory and slower mix.

I have found however, that by constructing the beaters with a drop center and eliminating the standard heavy bar sloping downward from the beater shank as in previous beaters, which had the tendency to trap the material at the center of the batch and keep it flowing on the top of the batch being mixed, the material as it becomes lighter and rises towards the top, is direct ed downward by the improved drop center structure, and is permitted to fold over, and down into the batch. This effects a more thorough mix of the batch because of the additional agitation, and hence it has a more complete development and incorporation of materials from top to bottom of the batch. The drop center construction also eliminates practically all tendency of the material to splash, or be thrown off the heater and permits the batch to be handled with a degree of efficiency hitherto unknown in the art.

In some instances, I have found that certain materials are more difficult to incorporate due to differences in their specific gravity, or when dry materials float on liquids. To eifect a rapid association of such mixes the drop center beaters have been provided, according to the present invention, with an inner drop center portion or spur which is either formed integral with the particular beater or affixed thereto. These de capacity that level off the batch up to or above vices assist materially in the assimilation of dry the points of the drop center wings A and B (see Fig. 1). Beaters of this type are generally used when they are to be revolved at relatively low speeds to incorporate the ingredients rapidly. The effect of the inner drop center or spur is to give added downward directive impulse to parts of the batch tending to rise as the beater revolves.

The main object of the invention is to secure a more thorough mixing of the dough, or mix, and for this purpose there is provided a beater head having a drop center construction of generally heart shaped section, the driving shank being joined to the re-entrant portion of the heart.

It is a further object to provide beaters of drop center construction with inner drop center portions, or spurs or extensions in order to more thoroughly and rapidly mix certain types of batches, wherein said portions aid in the downward direction and agitation of said batch.

It is an additional object to provide a multiple winged beater with an inner drop center portion which will effect a more thorough, efficient and rapid mix,

It is an added object to provide the operative faces of beaters with such a configuration that the heater in operation will be self cleaning, that is, the rotation of the beater will cause parts of the batch tending to adhere thereto to be removed by the rotation of the beater, without the assistance of additional cleaning means.

With these and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, the invention consists in certain constructions and combinations hereinafter fully described, and then specifically set forth in the claims appended hereunto.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and in which like characters of reference indicate the same or like parts:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the improved beater used for heavy batches;

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view taken on line 22 of the beater shown in Fig. 1; the arrows at the end of the line indicating the direction in which the view is taken;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a multiple win beater used for lighter mixes; and I Fig. 4 is a plan view of parts broken away of the structure shown in Fig. 3.

In carrying the invention into effect there is provided a driving shank and a generally heart shaped beater head supported with its obtuse end downward and adapted to create a circulation of the mix down through the center of the head when the same is rotated in the mix. In the best constructions contemplated, the beater head may include a pair of opposite upwardly and outwardly inclined bars on the shank, a central web forming drop center continuation of the shank, two or more sets of curved members or blades joining the bars and web and spurs or inner drop center members spaced above and substantially parallel to said inclined bars extending from said shank and connected at their ends to said bars; or the beater head may include a number of radial arms on the driving shank, a series of generally heart shaped members secured to the arms with double drop center portions in their upper parts, and wire whips having their ends fixed in the frames.

These various means and parts may be widely varied in construction within the scope of'the claims, for the particular devices selected to illustrate the invention are merely illustrative of the many possible concrete embodiments of the same. The invention, therefore, is not to be restricted to the specific constructions shown and described.

The beater illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is used mostly for creaming, mixing and folding-in fiour in batches of all kinds. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the beater consists of a driving shank which is adapted to be connected to the driving spindle of the mixing machine, and a beater head of generally heart shaped section integral with or attached to said shank. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the beater head consists of two upwardly inclined top bars ll extending from driving shank l0 and connected by one or more spaced inner curved members l2 and outer curved members l3, all of which may be concentrio, as shown, with a central web M which forms a drop center continuation of shank ID. Spaced above bars I l and extending upward substantially parallel thereto are short bars H a which are connected at their ends by bars l5 attached to or integral with bars ll, thereby forming an upper drop center unit having a wing portion B which corresponds to wing portions A of the main part of the beater, the highest points of which constitutes the beginning of the drop centers in the top of each beater head.

Referring particularly to Fig. 2, it will be noted that the cross section of each of the members l2 and I3 presents a broad curved point to the mix which tapers off at the rear thereof. This shape which may approximate a tear drop causes more eflicient agitation of the mix and makes the blades of the beater self cleaning, so that at all times there is no collecting of the ingredients of the mix thereon during use ornecessity for scraping or otherwise removing portions of the mix therefrom after use. It will be noted that the blades on opposite sides of web I face in opposite directions, so as always to present the broad face first to the mix as the beater rotates.

In Figs. 3 and l there is shown a modified form of the invention specially adapted for light mixes, such for instance as sponge batches, heavy icings and the like. The beater shown in this figure comprises a multiple wing unit, and though shown with six wings, it can be modified to any number of wings, as conditions require. In this beater there is provided a driving shank l8 from which extend a number of upwardly inclined radial U-shaped arms I! supporting the ends of a series of generally heart-shaped frames l8, each frame being provided with-a plurality of drop center portions designated generally at 22 and 23, which extend out and form wing portions A and B as illustrated in Fig. 3, and cause the mix to flow up the outside and down the center of the beater producing rapid circulation and thorough development. Flour and other ingredients added to the mix are assimilated almost instantly. By means of the inner drop center portion having wings B any materials rising above the level of wings A are immediately tucked in, and folded or redirected down the center of the beater. Reinforcing bars l9 are provided for the upper portions of each frame. Frames I'I are equipped with a series of wire whip members 20 which have their ends securely fastened therein. A central rod 2! set in the lower end of shank l5 forms a drop center con-' tinuation thereof. Referring again to Fig. 3, it will be seen that only the frame I8 and wires 20 of one wing set is shown inasmuch as it would result in a confusion of lines if the wires of the remaining wings were illustrated.

What is claimed is:

1. In a beater, the combination with a driving shank providing means for rotating said beater in a mix, of a beater head of generally heartshape configuration having a drop center portion in its top part supported by said shank with its end pointing downward, an inner drop center unit spaced above said drop center and secured to said shank, and a plurality of separated mixing members extending between said top part and end for agitating a mix when said beater is allowed to rotate therein.

2. In a beater, the combination with a driving shank providing means for rotating said beater in a mix, of a beater head of generally heart shape configuration, having an obtuse end and a drop center portion across its top part acting to direct portions of the mix downward into circulation in said mix, an inner drop center unit integral with the top part of said beater secured to said shank, for directing downward into the mix any portions thereof rising above said'drop center, and a plurality of mixing members carried by said head for agitating a mix when said beater is allowed to rotate therein.

3. In a beater, the combination with a driving shank providing means for rotating said beater in a mix, of a beater head of generally heart shape configuration, having an obtuse end portion pointing downward, and a drop center portion across its top part acting to direct portions of the mix downward into circulation with the mix, an inner drop center unit supported on the top part of said beater head and secured to said shank for directing back into the mix any parts thereof rising above said drop center, and a plurality of mixing members carried by said head for agitating said mix when said beater is allowed to rotate therein.

4. In a beater, the combination with a driving shank provided with means for rotating a beater in a mix, of a beater head having an outer member of generally heart shape configuration, and a drop center depression in the top portion thereof supported by said shank at the lowest point of said depression, the sides of the beater extending upward from said drop center depression, and then downward to form an obtuse end, and a plurality of concentric agitating devices forming parts of said head, and having their ends secured to said member only and on opposite sides of its vertical center line for agitating said mix when said beater is allowed to rotate therein.

5. In a beater, the combination with a driving shank provided with means for rotating a beater in a mix, of a beater head having a plurality of members of generally heart shape configuration, with each member provided with a drop center depression in the top portion thereof supported by said shank at the lowest point of said depression, the sides of the beater members extending upward from said support, and then downward to form obtuse ends all converging at the same point, and aplurality of concentric agitating devices forming parts of said head, and having their ends secured to said members and on opposite sides of the vertical axis of each member for agitating a mix when said beater is allowed to rotate therein.

6. In a beater, the combination with a shank provided with means for rotating a beater in a mix, of a composite beater comprising a plurality of members of generally heart shape configuration and having drop center depressions in the top portion of each member, said members extending upward from said drop center depressions, and extending downward to form obtuse ends, all of said members being secured together at the top and ends, and supported by said shank at the lowest point of said depression, and a plurality of concentric agitating members having their ends attached to said members only, and on opposite sides of the vertical axis of said beater, for agitating a mix when said beater is allowed to rotate therein.

7. In a beater, the combination with a shank provided with means for rotating 2. beater in a mix, of a composite beater comprising a plurality of members of generally heart shape configuration and having a plurality of drop center depressions in the top portion of each member for directing and redirecting the mix downward towards the center of said beater, said members extending upward from said drop center, and extending downward to form obtuse ends, all of said members being secured together at the top and ends, and supported by said shank at the lowest point of said depression, and a plurality of concentric agitating members having their ends attached to said members only, and on opposite sides of the vertical axis of said beater, for agitating a mix when said beater is allowed to rotate therein.

8. In a beater, the combination with a driving shank providing means for rotating said beater in a mix, of a beater head having a drop center depression across its widest part, supported by said shank with its nose portion pointed downward, a plurality of separated mixing members extending between said drop center and said nose portions, and a second drop center member attached to the upper portion of said beater and to said shank.

9. In a beater, the combination with a driving shank providing means for rotating said beater in a mix, of a beater head, comprising an outer member of generally heart shape configuration with a drop center depression in the top portion thereof supported by said shank, a plurality of mixing elements carried by said member, and means supported by the upper portion of said member adjacent the drop center portion thereof and attached to said shank for directing those portions of the mix rising above said member downward into said mix to be circulated therewith.

10. In a beater, the combination with a driving shank, of a heart shape beater head supported thereon with its obtuse end pointed downward, said beater head including a pair of opposite upwardly inclined bars on said shank, a central web forming a drop center continuation of said shank, and adapted to produce cavitation in and thereby create a circulation of the mix from the outside of the beater head down through the center of the head when the same is rotated in the mix, a plurality of sets of spaced, concentric members joining said bars and webs, to assure effective agitation of said mix, and means mounted on said bars and secured to said shank above said bars for downwardly directing into the circulating mix any material rising above said bars.

11. In a beater, the combination with a driving shank providing means for rotating a beater in a mix, of a beater of generally heart shape configuration, comprising a pair of opposite upwardly inclined bars extending from said shank, a central .web forming a drop center continuation of said shank, a plurality of spaced concentric members joining said bars and web to assure the effective agitation of said mix, a pair of upwardly inclined elements extending from said shank and. spaced above said bars, and means connecting said elements to said inclined bars, and thereby forming an inner drop center unit on said beater for redirecting portions of the mix rising above said bars downward and into circulation with the mix being agitated.

12. A beater rotor including a shaft and a blade extending therefrom and revoluble therewith broadside through the mix, said blade having a plurality of stirring elements extending side by side transversely of their orbital path with intervening arcuate slots, said stirring elements being connected and said slots being closed, at their respective upper ends, by a drop center element, the stirring elements extending downward from said drop center in arcuate formation respectively to an axially disposed element, with which the stirring elements are connected at spaced points along the axis; said stirring elements respectively having a cross section generally of tear-drop shape constructed with tapered trailing edges and a blunt rounded leading edge and arranged to agitate the ingredients of a mix as the beater is rotated therein blunt edges foremost; whereby the mix is squeezed into the spaces between said blunt leading edges recurrently, and alternately expands in the spaces defined by said tapered trailing edges forming admixed streams which cohere as they leave the trailing V-shaped ends of the elements so that a freshly coherent mass of the mix is presented for like dividing, squeezing and cohering action at each pass of a blade so constituted.

13. In a beater, a rotor having a vertical axis, and including several blades each having the features claimed in claim 12, said blades being disposed in spaced radial positions around said axis, whereby said mix is subjected, during each rotation of said rotor, to a multiplicity of dividing and squeezing operations, with intervening recoherence of the divided streams.

14. A beater blade having the features claimed in claim 12, in which each stirring element has its blunt rounded leading edge and its tapered trailing end formed substantially in the proportions illustrated, thereby promoting a self-cleaning action of said elements.

15. A beater device adapted to operate in a plastic mix of the class described: said beater comprising a shaft disposed suitably to enter said mix from above the surface level thereof and to and in which said beater element is continued below the terminus of said shaft as a generally planiform foraminous stirring structure of substantially heart-shaped contour extending in a plane intersecting the axis of said shaft, in parallelism therewith, said extended portion acting to impart to the material so cleared from above, a moment of centrifugal force adequate to feed it into the path of the foraminous stirring portion of the beater.

. WALTER F. DEHUFF. 

